Liquor shops will remain open on Holi, Know the details 

Liquor Shops Update: Liquor stores in Delhi will be open on Holi, March 4th. This is significant news for alcohol consumers. The government has taken Delhi off the dry day list, allowing liquor shops to operate today during Holi. The Excise Department has issued an order that specifies this, excluding Holi from the dry day list. Additionally, Mahashivratri, Republic Day, Mahavir Jayanti, and Eid will still be considered dry days, meaning liquor shops will be closed on those occasions.

As per the order from the Excise Department, liquor shops will be operational on Holi, and there will be no restrictions on drinking. Dry days are typically observed for various religious and national celebrations, but this year, Holi has been exempted from that list.

The dry days for the year 2026, as stated in an order from the Excise Department of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, include Republic Day (January 26), Mahashivratri (February 15), Eid-ul-Fitr (March 21), Ram Navami (March 26), and Mahavir Jayanti (March 31). These dates are explicitly mentioned in the order, while Holi is notably absent from it.

These hotels will always remain open

According to the Excise Department, all licensed shops and liquor vendors must close on the designated dry days. However, hotels with L-15 and 15-F licenses are exempt from this ban on serving liquor to their guests. Moreover, the order states that license holders will not receive any compensation for alterations to the list.

Sales of sweets, gujiyas, and vibrant gulal are already booming during the festive season. In this context, alcohol sales could also present a significant profit opportunity for businesses. Many individuals host Holi gatherings and parties with friends, where alcohol is often part of the festivities.

Temporary changes to the Metro schedule

In addition to the closure of liquor shops in Delhi on Holi, temporary changes have also been made to the Delhi Metro schedule. Morning service will not resume on the festival day. DMRC has stated that train services will be suspended on all Delhi Metro lines from morning until 2:30 pm on Holi, March 4, 2026. The Airport Express Line will also remain closed during this time. This means that passengers will not be able to use the Metro on any route during the morning.

Metro services will resume from all terminal stations after 2:30 pm and will continue as per the normal timetable until nightfall. This change is only for Holi. On Holi morning, streets and public places are often crowded, and security and sanitation challenges are often encountered. Keeping this in mind, the decision has been made to temporarily suspend morning services.